Accumulator cell assembly

ABSTRACT

An accumulator cell assembly made up of a plurality of accumulator cells connected in series. Each accumulator cell includes polarizing electrodes and a collector foil having a width of at least twice the width of the polarizing electrodes. The collector foil continues through adjacent accumulator cells and connects the adjacent accumulator cells in series.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Stage entry of International ApplicationNo. PCT/JP2004/001217, filed Feb. 5, 2004. The disclosure of the priorapplication is hereby incorporated herein in its entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to an accumulator cell assembly made by forming aplurality of accumulator cells by winding a positive electrode body anda negative electrode body separated by a separator onto a winding coreand connecting the accumulator cells together in series.

BACKGROUND ART

A cylindrical battery made by connecting together in series a pluralityof the accumulator cells which store electricity in batteries andcondensers and the like is proposed for example in JP-A-11-26321. Thiscylindrical battery having a series accumulator cell connectionstructure of related art is shown in FIG. 23.

Referring to FIG. 23, a plurality of accumulator cells 301 configuring acylindrical battery 300 are connected in series. The series-connectedaccumulator cells 301 are received in a cylindrical metal case 302.

Each of the accumulator cells 301 is a wound body made by formingpolarizing electrodes on the faces of collector foils to form a positiveelectrode body and a negative electrode body and winding the positiveelectrode body and the negative electrode body separated by a separatorinto a roll.

The accumulator cells 301 each have a positive lead part 303 consistingof a part of the collector foil of the positive electrode bodyprojecting from the polarizing electrodes and a negative lead part 304consisting of a part of the collector foil of the negative electrodebody projecting from the polarizing electrodes. That is, the accumulatorcells 301 each have a positive lead part 303 at one end of the woundbody and have a negative lead part 304 at the other end of the woundbody.

By a plurality of these accumulator cells 301 being disposed on the sameaxis and the positive lead part 303 of one of the accumulator cells 301being connected to the negative lead part 304 of another, theaccumulator cells 301 are connected in series to form an accumulatorcell unit 305. This accumulator cell unit 305 is received in a metalcase 302 and a cylindrical battery 300 is thereby obtained.

However, with the cylindrical battery 300 of related art describedabove, to connect a plurality of the accumulator cells 301 in series, itis necessary to make the positive lead part 303 project from one end ofeach of the accumulator cells 301, make the negative lead part 304project from the other end, and connect the positive lead parts 303 andthe negative lead parts 304 of adjacent accumulator cells 301.

Here, if the length of the positive lead part 303 projecting from oneend of each accumulator cell 301 is written La and the length of thenegative lead part 304 projecting from the other end of the accumulatorcell 301 is written Lb, then to connect a number of accumulator cells301 in series it is necessary for the adjacent accumulator cells 301,301 to be disposed with a spacing therebetween of La+Lb, the sum of thelength La of the positive lead part 303 and the length Lb of thenegative lead part 304.

Because adjacent accumulator cells 301, 301 are disposed with a spacingLa+Lb like this, it is difficult to keep the overall length of thecylindrical battery 300 compact.

Also, because to connect multiple accumulator cells 301 in series thepositive lead part 303 of one of adjacent accumulator cells 301, 301 isconnected to the negative lead part 304 of the other accumulator cell301, when a current flows, relatively large connection resistances ariseat the connections, and it is difficult to make the resistance of theseconnections low.

Because of this, a series accumulator cell connection structure has beenawaited with which it is possible to reduce the length of a cylindricalbattery to make it compact and it is also possible to keep connectionresistances low.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an accumulator cell assembly having aplurality of accumulator cells connected in series, each of theaccumulator cells including: a collector foil; a polarizing electrode,made of activated carbon, a conducting material and a binder, providedon at least one side of the collector foil and forming a positiveelectrode body and a negative electrode body; a separator separating thepositive electrode body and the negative electrode body; and a windingcore for layering together and winding the collector foil, thepolarizing electrode and the separator onto, wherein an extendedcollector foil having a width of at least twice the width of thepolarizing electrode continues through adjacent accumulator cells andconnects them in series.

By using an extended collector foil passing through adjacent accumulatorcells and connecting the accumulator cells with the extended collectorfoil like this, it is possible to make the distance between adjacentaccumulator cells short and make a cylindrical battery compact.

Also, by connecting adjacent accumulator cells in series with anextended collector foil, it is possible to eliminate the connectionparts which have been necessary in related art for connectingaccumulator cells together. By this means, connection resistance arisingwhen a current flows can be eliminated and current flow improved.

To correct the voltages of a plurality of accumulator cells according tothe invention individually, preferably, lead wires are connected to theextended collector foil. Even when accumulator cells are connected inseries, it is desirable to keep the respective voltages of theaccumulator cells constant. To achieve this, lead wires are connected tothe extended collector foil to enable the voltages of the accumulatorcells to be detected individually using the lead wires. Also, becausethe lead wires can be used to supply current or drain current, thevoltages of the accumulator cells can be adjusted individually.

Preferably, the winding core of the invention is a hollow member and thelead wire is routed through the hollow part of this winding core. Toconnect a lead wire to an extended collector foil from the outer side ofthe accumulator cells it is necessary to form a through hole for thelead wire to pass through in the wall of the cylindrical container forreceiving the accumulator cells, and this is undesirable. However, ifthe lead wire is routed through the insides of the accumulator cellsusing a hollow part of the winding core, as in the present invention, itis not necessary for a space for the lead wire to pass through to benewly provided.

Preferably, the extended collector foil of the invention has multipleopenings formed in the part positioned between accumulator cells. Whenelectrolyte is poured into the accumulator battery, the electrolytepasses through the openings, the electrolyte enters between theaccumulator cells, and the electrolyte flows smoothly into the insidesof the accumulator cells. Also, electrolyte collecting between theaccumulator cells is chained through the openings and the amount ofelectrolyte staying between the accumulator cells can be reduced, sothat the electrolyte divides into two droplets under surface tension andis prevented from forming liquid junctions between adjacent accumulatorcells.

Also, of the extended collector foil of the invention, preferably, awater-repellency treatment is carried out on the part positioned betweenthe accumulator cells. When this is done, even when electrolyte in theaccumulator cells collects between the accumulator cells, theelectrolyte is repelled by the water-repelling substance and thecontinuity of the electrolyte between the accumulator cells is broken,whereby liquid junctions between adjacent accumulator cells areprevented from being formed by the electrolyte.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a cylindrical battery having aseries-connected accumulator cell assembly according to a firstembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the series accumulator cell connectionstructure shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for manufacturing theseries accumulator cell connection structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view showing electrode bodies and separators of the seriesaccumulator cell connection structure shown in FIG. 2 before they arewound on a winding core;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are views showing how the electrode bodies andseparators shown in FIG. 3 are wound on a core a number of times toobtain a series accumulator cell connection structure;

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example for comparison with themanufacturing apparatus shown in FIG. 3 for manufacturing the seriesaccumulator cell connection structure shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B are views showing how electrolyte flows when pouredinto a cylindrical casing in which an accumulator cell unit has beenreceived;

FIG. 8A and FIG. 8B are views showing a comparison example and anembodiment of the invention when electrolyte has stayed betweenaccumulator cells;

FIG. 9 is a view showing a first variation of a first extended collectorfoil of the first embodiment, and shows an example wherein multipleround holes are formed in a zigzag in a middle region of the firstextended collector foil;

FIG. 10 is a view showing a second variation of the first extendedcollector foil of the first embodiment, and shows an example wherein awater-repellent substance has been applied to the sides of the middleregion of the first extended collector foil;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a third variation of the first extendedcollector foil of the first embodiment, and shows an example wherein aspace formed by middle regions of first extended collector foils isfilled with an insulating material;

FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C are views illustrating correction of thevoltages of top, middle and bottom accumulator cells in a firstcomparison example using a first test accumulator cell, a secondcomparison example using a second test accumulator cell, and anembodiment of the invention using a third test accumulator cell;

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between voltage differencebetween accumulator cells V and charge/discharge cycles for the first,second and third test accumulator cells shown in FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B andFIG. 12C;

FIG. 14 is a view showing an example of performing correction withvoltage correcting means to equalize the voltages of top, middle andbottom accumulator cells in the series accumulator cell connectionstructure of the first embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a cylindrical battery having a seriesaccumulator cell connection structure of a second embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a cylindrical battery having a seriesaccumulator cell connection structure of a third embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 17 is a view showing electrode bodies and separators of the seriesaccumulator cell connection structure of the third embodiment shown inFIG. 16 before they are wound on a winding core;

FIG. 18 is a view showing a series accumulator cell connection structureof a fourth embodiment, and shows an example wherein the diameter of atop part of a core, on which a top accumulator cell is wound, thediameter of a middle part of the core, on which a middle accumulatorcell is wound, and the diameter of a bottom part of the core, on which abottom accumulator cell is wound, are made different;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of a cylindrical battery having a seriesaccumulator cell connection structure of a fifth embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view of a cylindrical battery having a seriesaccumulator cell connection structure of a sixth embodiment of theinvention, and is a view showing an example wherein an insulating memberis provided on the inner circumferential surface of a cylindricalcontainer;

FIG. 21 is a view pertaining to a seventh embodiment of the inventionand showing an example wherein the circumferential wall part, which doesnot include the bottom part, of a cylindrical container of a cylindricalaccumulator battery, is made of an insulating material;

FIG. 22 is a view pertaining to an eighth embodiment of the inventionand showing an example wherein insulating members are interposed inparts of the circumferential wall of a cylindrical container and of acore corresponding to parts between adjacent accumulator cells; and

FIG. 23 is a view showing a cylindrical battery having a seriesaccumulator cell connection structure of related art.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

A cylindrical battery 10 shown in FIG. 1 has a cylindrical container 11and an accumulator unit 12 received in the cylindrical container 11. Theaccumulator unit 12 has a negative electrode collector plate 13 and apositive electrode collector plate 15. The negative electrode collectorplate 13 is fixed to a bottom part 14 of the cylindrical container 11.The positive electrode collector plate 15 is connected by a conductingU-shaped connecting member 17 to a cover part 16 of the cylindricalcontainer 11. The cover part 16 has an insulating rubber ring 18 fittedaround its periphery 16 a. The cover part 16 is attached to a top part19 of the cylindrical container 11 by the top part 19 being crimped tothe insulating rubber ring 18. The cylindrical battery 10 has voltagecorrecting means 20. The voltage correcting means 20 corrects thevoltages of accumulator cells 33, 35, 37 constituting the accumulatorunit 12. The cover part 16 serves as a positive electrode. The bottompart 14 of the cylindrical container 11 serves as a negative electrode.

The accumulator unit 12 has a series accumulator cell connectionstructure 30 disposed between the negative electrode collector plate 13and the positive electrode collector plate 15.

The series accumulator cell connection structure 30 has a topaccumulator cell 33 wound on a top part 31 a of a hollow core 31, amiddle accumulator cell 35 wound on a middle part 31 b of the hollowcore 31, and a bottom accumulator cell 37 wound on a bottom part 31 c ofthe hollow core 31, and the three accumulator cells, the top accumulatorcell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell37, are connected in series.

The top accumulator cell 33 is a structure made by layering together apositive electrode body 41 of a first extended electrode body 40, afirst top separator 42, a negative electrode body 43 and a second topseparator 44 and winding this into a roll with the positive electrodebody 41 and the negative electrode body 43 separated by the first andsecond top separators 42, 44.

The positive electrode body 41 of the first extended electrode body 40is made up of a first extended collector foil 46 and polarizingelectrodes 48, 48, consisting of activated carbon, a conducting materialand a binder, provided on both sides of a positive electrode region 46 aof the first extended collector foil 46.

The negative electrode body 43 of the top accumulator cell 33 is made upof a negative electrode collector foil 50 and polarizing electrodes 48,48, consisting of activated carbon, a conducting material and a binder,provided on both sides of the collector foil 50.

The middle accumulator cell 35 is a structure made by layering togethera negative electrode body 51 of the first extended electrode body 40, afirst middle separator 52, a positive electrode body 55 of a secondextended electrode body 54 and a second middle separator 56 and windingthis into a roll with the negative electrode body 51 and the positiveelectrode body 55 separated by the first and second middle separators52, 56.

The negative electrode body 51 of the first extended electrode body 40is made up of the first extended collector foil 46 and polarizingelectrodes 48, 48, consisting of activated carbon, a conducting materialand a binder, provided on both sides of a negative electrode region 46 bof the first extended collector foil 46.

The positive electrode body 55 of the second extended electrode body 54is made up of a second extended collector foil 58 and polarizingelectrodes 48, 48, consisting of activated carbon, a conducting materialand a binder, provided on both sides of a positive electrode region 58 aof the second extended collector foil 58.

The bottom accumulator cell 37 is a structure made by layering togethera positive electrode body 61, a first bottom separator 62, a negativeelectrode body 63 of the second extended electrode body 54, and a secondbottom separator 64 and winding this into a roll with the positiveelectrode body 61 and the negative electrode body 63 separated by thefirst and second bottom separators 62, 64.

The positive electrode body 61 of the bottom accumulator cell 37 is madeup of a positive electrode collector foil 66 and polarizing electrodes48, 48, consisting of activated carbon, a conducting material and abinder, provided on both sides of the positive electrode collector foil66.

The negative electrode body 63 of the second extended electrode body 54is made up of the second extended collector foil 58 and polarizingelectrodes 48, 48, consisting of activated carbon, a conducting materialand a binder, provided on both sides of a negative electrode region 58 bof the second extended collector foil 58.

In this series accumulator cell connection structure 30, the topaccumulator cell 33 and the middle accumulator cell 35 are connected inseries by the single first extended collector foil 46 being used forboth the collector foil of the positive electrode body 41 of the topaccumulator cell 3 a (i.e. the positive electrode region 46 a) and thecollector foil of the negative electrode body 51 of the middleaccumulator cell 35 (i.e. the negative electrode region 46 b), and themiddle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 areconnected in series by the single second extended collector foil 58being used for both the collector foil of the positive electrode body 55of the middle accumulator cell 35 (i.e. the positive electrode region 58a) and the collector foil of the negative electrode body 63 of thebottom accumulator cell 37 (i.e. the negative electrode region 58 b).

Also, in the series accumulator cell connection structure 30, the topend 46 g of the positive electrode region 46 a in the positive electrodebody 41 of the top accumulator cell 33 is made to project above thefirst and second top separators 42, 44 and this projecting top end 46 gis joined to the positive electrode collector plate 15, and the bottomend 58 g of the negative electrode region 58 b in the negative electrodebody 63 of the bottom accumulator cell 37 is made to project below thefirst and second bottom separators 62, 64 and this projecting bottom end58 g is joined to the negative electrode collector plate 13.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the series accumulator cell connectionstructure 30 of the first embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1.

The positive electrode region 46 a in the positive electrode body 41 ofthe top accumulator cell 33 is of width L1, the negative electroderegion 46 b in the negative electrode body 51 of the middle accumulatorcell 35 is of width L1, a middle region 46 c between the positiveelectrode region 46 a and the negative electrode region 46 b is of widthL2, and the top end 46 g of the positive electrode region 46 a is ofwidth L3, so that the overall width of the first extended collector foil46 is L1+L1+L2+L3. First round holes 68 are formed as openings in thepart between the top accumulator cell 33 and the middle accumulator cell35, i.e. the middle region 46 c, of the first extended collector foil46.

That is, the first extended collector foil 46 has a width (specifically,2×L1+L2+L3) of at least twice the width of the polarizing electrodes 48and passes continuously through the adjacent top accumulator cell 33 andmiddle accumulator cell 35 commonly so as to connect these accumulatorcells 33, 35 in series.

The first extended electrode body 40 is obtained by the polarizingelectrodes 48, 48 being provided on the sides of the positive electroderegion 46 a and the negative electrode region 46 b to form the positiveelectrode body 41 of the top accumulator cell 33 and the negativeelectrode body 51 of the middle accumulator cell 35. This first extendedelectrode body 40 does not have polarizing electrodes 48 on its middleregion 46 c. Also, the middle region 46 c is bent so as to slope towardthe hollow core 31 (see FIG. 1) with progress from the positiveelectrode region 46 a to the negative electrode region 46 b.

The positive electrode region 58 a in the positive electrode body 55 ofthe middle accumulator cell 35 is of width L1, the negative electroderegion 58 b in the negative electrode body 63 of the bottom accumulatorcell 37 is of width L1, a middle region 58 c between the positiveelectrode region 58 a and the negative electrode region 58 b is of widthL2, and the bottom end 58 g of the negative electrode region 58 b is ofwidth L3 (see FIG. 1), so that the overall width of the second extendedcollector foil 58 is set to L1+L1+L2+L3.

That is, the second extended collector foil 58 has a width(specifically, 2×L1+L2+L3) of at least twice the width of the polarizingelectrodes 48 and passes continuously through the adjacent middleaccumulator cell 35 and bottom accumulator cell 37 so as to connectthese accumulator cells 35, 37 in series.

Second round holes 69 are formed as openings in the part between themiddle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37, i.e. themiddle region 58 c, of the second extended collector foil 58. Thesesecond round holes 69 are holes of the same shape as the first roundholes 68 formed in the middle region 46 c of the first extendedcollector foil 46.

The second extended electrode body 54 is obtained by the polarizingelectrodes 48, 48 being provided on the positive electrode region 58 aand the negative electrode region 58 b to form the positive electrodebody 55 of the middle accumulator cell 35 and the negative electrodebody 63 of the bottom accumulator cell 37.

The second extended electrode body 54, like the first extended electrodebody 40, does not have polarizing electrodes 48 on its middle region 58c. And the middle region 58 c is bent so as to slope toward the hollowcore 31 (see FIG. 1) with progress from the positive electrode region 58a to the negative electrode region 58 b.

As described above, the first and second extended collector foils 46, 58each have a width (specifically, 2×L1+L2+L3) of at least twice the widthof the polarizing electrodes 48 and pass continuously through adjacentaccumulator cells among the accumulator cells 33, 35 and 37 so as toconnect the adjacent accumulator cells together in series. Consequently,the distances between the adjacent accumulator cells among theaccumulator cells 33, 35 and 37 can be kept short and the length of thecylindrical battery 10 can be kept down to achieve compactness.

Also, by connecting the adjacent accumulator cells among the accumulatorcells 33, 35 and 37 with the first and second extended collector foils46 and 58 in series, it is possible to dispense with the connecting partthat has been necessary for connecting the accumulator cells in relatedart. By this means it is possible to reduce the connection resistancearising when current flows and thereby improve current flow.

The reason for sloping the middle regions 46 c, 58 c of the first andsecond extended collector foils 46, 58 will be explained in detail withreference to FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. Also, the reason for providing thefirst and second round holes 68, 69 as openings in the middle regions 46c, 58 c will be explained with reference to FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 8Aand FIG. 8B.

Referring, to FIG. 1, the voltage correcting means 20 is a structuremade by connecting a first lead wire 21 to a part 46 d on the hollowcore 31 side of the middle region 46 c of the first extended collectorfoil 46 and connecting the first lead wire 21 to a control part 22,connecting a second lead wire 24 to a part 58 d on the hollow core 31side of the middle region 58 c of the second extended collector foil 58and connecting the second lead wire 24 to the control part 22,connecting the cover part 16, serving as a positive electrode, to thecontrol part 22 by a third lead wire 26, and connecting the bottom part14 of the cylindrical container 11, serving as a negative electrode, tothe control part 22 by a fourth lead wire 28.

The first lead wire 21 has a first end 21 a connected to the part 46 don the hollow core 31 side of the middle region 46 c of the firstextended collector foil 46, passes through a first through hole 71 inthe hollow core 31 into the hollow part 32 of the hollow core 31, passesthrough the hollow part 32 to an opening 13 a in the negative electrodecollector plate 13, passes through the opening 13 a and a through hole72 formed in the bottom part 14 of the cylindrical container 11 tooutside the cylindrical battery 10, and has its second end 21 bconnected to the control part 22.

The second lead wire 24 has a first end 24 a connected to the part 58 don the hollow core 31 side of the middle region 58 c of the secondextended collector foil 58, passes through a second through hole 73 inthe hollow core 31 into the hollow part 32 of the hollow core 31, passesthrough the hollow part 32 to the opening 13 a in the negative electrodecollector plate 13, passes through the opening 13 a and the through hole72 formed in the bottom part 14 of the cylindrical container 11 tooutside the cylindrical battery 10, and has its second end 24 bconnected to the control part 22.

As a result of the first and second lead wires 21, 24 being routedthrough the hollow part 32 of the hollow core 31 like this, it is notnecessary for a space for the first and second lead wires 21, 24 to passthrough to be newly provided. Consequently, the installing of the firstand second lead wires 21, 24 can be carried out simply and quickly.

Also, as a result of the first and second lead wires 21, 24 being routedthrough the insides of the top accumulator cell 33, the middleaccumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 using the hollowpart 32 of the hollow core 31, it is not necessary to prove throughholes for passing through the first and second wires 21, 24 in the wall11 a of the cylindrical container 11 housing the accumulator cells 33,35 and 37.

With this voltage correcting means 20, it is possible to correct thevoltages of the top accumulator cell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35and the bottom accumulator cell 37 individually by supplying current toor discharging the accumulator cells 33, 35 and 37 individually via thefirst through fourth lead wires 21, 24, 26 and 98.

FIG. 3 shows an apparatus for manufacturing a series accumulator cellconnection structure according to the first embodiment of the invention.

This apparatus 80 for manufacturing a series accumulator cell connectionstructure includes a first electrode sheet feed roller 82 for feedingout a first electrode sheet 83 in the form of a ribbon. The firstelectrode sheet 83 fed out is cut by a cutter 85 of a first electrodesheet cutting roller 84 and thereby divided into a first extendedelectrode body 40 and the positive electrode body 61 for the bottomaccumulator cell 37 shown in FIG. 1. At the time of this division, anunwanted part 74 arises between the first extended electrode body 40 andthe positive electrode body 61; this part 74 is removed by removingmeans (not shown).

The manufacturing apparatus 80 also includes a first separator feedroller 87 for feeding out a first separator 88 in the form of a ribbon.The first separator 88 fed out is cut by cutters 90, 90 of a firstseparator cutting roller 89 and thereby divided into the first topseparator 42 for the top accumulator cell 33 shown in FIG. 1, the firstmiddle separator 52 for the middle accumulator cell 35 shown in FIG. 1,and the first bottom separator 62 for the bottom accumulator cell 37shown in FIG. 1. At the time of this division, unwanted parts 75, 76arise between the separators 42, 52 and 62; these parts 75, 76 areremoved by removing means (not shown).

Also, the manufacturing apparatus 80 includes a second electrode sheetfeed roller 92 for feeding out a second electrode sheet 93 in the formof a ribbon. The second electrode sheet 93 fed out is cut by a cutter 95of a second electrode sheet cutting roller 94 and thereby divided into anegative electrode body 43 for the top accumulator cell 33 and a secondextended electrode body 54. At the time of this division, an unwantedpart 77 arises between the negative electrode body 43 and the secondextended electrode body 54; this part 77 is removed by removing means(not shown).

Also, the manufacturing apparatus 80 includes a second separator feedroller 96 for feeding out a second separator 97 in the form of a ribbon.The second separator 97 fed out is cut by cutters 99, 99 of a secondseparator cutting roller 98 and thereby divided into a second topseparator 44 for the top accumulator cell 33 shown in FIG. 1, a secondmiddle separator 56 for the middle accumulator cell 35 shown in FIG. 1,and the second bottom separator 64 for the bottom accumulator cell 37shown in FIG. 1. At the time of this division, unwanted parts 78, 79arise between the separators 44, 56 and 64; these parts 78, 79 areremoved by removing means (not shown).

The positive electrode body 41 of the first extended electrode body 40cut by the cutter 85 of the first electrode sheet cutting roller 84, thefirst top separator 42 cut by the cutters 90 of the first separatorcutting roller 39, the negative electrode body 43 cut by the cutter 95of the second electrode sheet cutting roller 94 and the second topseparator 44 cut by the cutters 99 of the second separator cuttingroller 98 are layered together and wound onto a hollow core 31 to form atop accumulator cell 33 (see also FIG. 1).

The negative electrode body 51 of the first extended electrode body 40cut by the cutter 85 of the first electrode sheet cutting roller 84, thefirst middle separator 52 cut by the cutters 90 of the first separatorcutting roller 89, the positive electrode body 55 of the second extendedelectrode body 54 cut by the cutter 95 of the second electrode sheetcutting roller 94, and the second middle separator 56 cut by the cutters99 of the second separator cutting roller 98 are layered together andwound onto the hollow core 31 to form a middle accumulator cell 35 (seealso FIG. 1).

The positive electrode body 61 cut by the cutter 85 of the firstelectrode sheet cutting roller 84, the first bottom separator 62 cut bythe cutters 90 of the first separator cutting roller 89, the negativeelectrode body 63 of the second extended electrode body 54 cut by thecutter 95 of the second electrode sheet cutting roller 94, and thesecond bottom separator 64 cut by the cutters 99 of the second separatorcutting roller 98 are layered together and wound onto the hollow core 31to form a bottom accumulator cell 37 (see also FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 shows the electrode sheets and separators shown in FIG. 3 beforethey are wound onto the hollow core.

The positive electrode body 41 of the first extended electrode body 40of the first electrode sheet 83, the first top separator 42 of the firstseparator 88, the negative electrode body 43 of the second electrodesheet 93 and the second top separator 44 of the second separator 97 arelayered together.

Also, the negative electrode body 51 of the first extended electrodebody 40, the first middle separator 52 of the first separator 38, thepositive electrode body 55 of the second extended electrode body 54 ofthe second electrode sheet 93, and the second middle separator 56 of thesecond separator 97 are layered together.

And the positive electrode body 61 of the first electrode sheet 83, thefirst bottom separator 62 of the first separator 88, the negativeelectrode body 63 of the second extended electrode body 54 and thesecond bottom separator 64 of the second separator 97 are layeredtogether.

Here, as the first and second electrode sheets 83, 93 and the first andsecond separator sheets 88, 97 are layered together and wound onto thehollow core shown in FIG. 3 as shown with an arrow, one wind 61 a (thehatched region) of the positive electrode body 61 of the first electrodesheet 83 is removed; one wind 62 a (the hatched region) of the firstbottom separator 62 of the first separator 88 is removed; one wind 54 a(the hatched region) of the second extended electrode body 54 of thesecond electrode sheet 93 is removed; one wind 56 a (the hatched region)of the second middle separator 56 of the second separator 97 is removed;and one wind 64 a (the hatched region) of the second bottom separator 64is removed.

The first end 21 a of the first lead wire 21 is connected to the leadingend 46 e of the middle region 46 c of the first extended collector foil46 (see FIG. 2) of the first extended electrode body 40.

After the one wind 54 a of the leading end of the second extendedelectrode body 54 is removed, the first end 24 a of the second lead wire24 is connected to the leading end 58 e of the middle region 58 c of thesecond extended collector foil 58 of the second extended electrode body54.

Multiple first round holes 68 (see also FIG. 1 and FIG. 2) are formedwith a predetermined spacing in the middle region 46 c of the firstextended collector foil 46. Multiple second round holes 69 (see alsoFIG. 1 and FIG. 2) are formed with a predetermined spacing in the middleregion 58 c of the second extended collector foil 58.

By the first and second electrode sheets 83, 93 and the first and secondseparator sheets 88, 97 being layered together in this state and woundonto the hollow core 31 shown in FIG. 3 in the direction shown by thearrow, the series accumulator cell connection structure 30 shown in FIG.1 is obtained.

Next, on the basis of FIG. 4, FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B, an example oflayering together and winding first and second electrode sheets 83, 93and the first and second separator sheets 88, 97 onto the hollow core 31will be described in detail.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a first winding is carried out as shown by thearrow with the first and second electrode sheets 83, 93 (see FIG. 4) andthe first and second separator sheets 88, 97 (see FIG. 4) layeredtogether. By this means, the second top separator 44 of the secondseparator 97, the negative electrode body 43 of the second electrodesheet 93, the first top separator 42 of the first separator 88 and thepositive electrode body 41 of the first extended electrode body 40 arewound on the top part 31 a of the hollow core 31 in a stacked state.

Because single winds 54 a, 56 a of the second extended electrode body 54and the second middle separator 56 have been removed as mentioned abovewith reference to FIG. 4, on the middle part 31 b of the hollow core 31shown in FIG. 5A, the first middle separator 52 and the negativeelectrode body 51 of the first extended electrode body 40 are wound in astacked state. As a result, the middle region 46 c of the first extendedcollector foil 46 slopes toward the hollow core 31 with progress fromthe positive electrode region 46 a (that is, the positive electrode body41) to the negative electrode region 46 b (the negative electrode body51), and the polarities of the wound electrode bodies match along thehollow core 31.

Also, because single winds 61 a, 62 a 52 a and 64 a have been removedfrom the positive electrode body 61 of the first electrode sheet 83, thefirst bottom separator 62 of the first separator 88, the second extendedelectrode body 54 of the second electrode sheet 93 and the second bottomseparator 64 of the second separator 97 respectively, as mentioned abovewith reference to FIG. 4, nothing is wound on the bottom part 31 c ofthe hollow core 31.

In FIG. 5B, a second winding is carried out as shown by the arrow withthe first and second electrode sheets 83, 93 (see FIG. 4) and the firstand second separator sheets 88, 97 (see FIG. 4) layered together.

On the top part 31 a of the hollow core 31, the second top separator 44of the second separator 97, the negative electrode body 43 of the secondelectrode sheet 93, the first top separator 42 of the first separator 88and the positive electrode body 41 of the first extended electrode body40 are wound again.

And on the middle part 31 b of the hollow core 31, the second middleseparator 56 of the second separator 97, the positive electrode body 55of the second extended electrode body 54, the first middle separator 52of the first separator 88 and the negative electrode body 51 of thefirst extended electrode body 40 are wound again.

As a result, the middle region 46 c of the first extended collector foil46 slopes toward the hollow core 31 with progress from the positiveelectrode region 46 a (the positive electrode body 41) to the negativeelectrode region 46 b (the negative electrode body 51), and thepolarities of the wound electrode bodies match along the hollow core 31.

Also, the second bottom separator 64 of the second separator 97, thenegative electrode body 63 of the second extended electrode body 54, thefirst bottom separator 62 of the first separator 88 and the positiveelectrode body 61 of the first electrode sheet 83 are wound on thebottom part 31 c of the hollow core 31.

As a result, the middle region 58 c of the second extended collectorfoil 58 slopes toward the hollow core 31 with progress from the positiveelectrode region 58 a (the positive electrode body 55) to the negativeelectrode region 58 b (the negative electrode body 63), and thepolarities of the wound electrode bodies match along the hollow core 31.

Thereafter, by winding being continued as shown by the arrow with thefirst and second electrode sheets 83, 93 (see FIG. 4) and the first andsecond separator sheets 88, 97 (see FIG. 4) in a stacked state, theseries accumulator cell connection structure 30 shown in FIG. 1 isobtained.

As a result of the middle region 46 c of the first extended collectorfoil 46 and the middle region 58 c of the second extended collector foil58 being made to slope like this, the winding orders of the positive andnegative electrodes constituting the top accumulator cell 33, the middleaccumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 are matched alongthe hollow core 31.

Specifically, as shown in the cylindrical battery 10 of FIG. 1, by themiddle region 46 c of the first extended collector foil 46 and themiddle region 58 c of the second extended collector foil 58 being madeto slope diagonally, the top accumulator cell 33, the middle accumulatorcell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 are wound so that the firstwind on the hollow core 31 is a negative electrode and the last wind isa negative electrode (see FIG. 1).

Here, when the first wind on the hollow core 31 is made a negativeelectrode, the last wind becomes a positive electrode; but by removingthe positive electrode wound outermost, the last wind can be made anegative electrode (see FIG. 1).

By winding being carried out like this, all the electrodes of the topaccumulator cell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottomaccumulator cell 37 can be matched up as negative electrodes or positiveelectrodes Consequently, the effect that the top accumulator cell 33,the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 do notlose electrochemical stability is obtained

The reason for making the first wind and the last wind on the hollowcore 31 negative electrodes (see FIG. 1) here is as follows.

It is generally known that when the first wind or the last wind of thetop accumulator cell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottomaccumulator cell 37 is a positive electrode, separator carbonization andthe like tend to occur. In this first embodiment, to suppress separatorcarbonization and the like efficiently, the top accumulator cell 33, themiddle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 are woundon the hollow core 31 so that the first wind and the last wind of eachof the accumulator cells 33, 35 and 37 are negative electrodes.

In FIG. 3 through FIG. 5B, an example was shown wherein the firstseparator 88 is stacked on the first electrode sheet 83, the secondelectrode sheet 93 is stacked on the first separator 88 and the secondseparator 97 is stacked on the second electrode sheet 93 in turn;however, the method of layering together these members 83, 88, 93 and 97can be chosen freely. In short, any method by which it is possible tolayer together the members 83, 88, 93 and 97 so that they can be woundwith the positive electrode bodies and the negative electrode bodiesseparated by the separators can be used.

FIG. 6 shows an example for comparison with the method of manufacturinga series accumulator cell connection structure according to the firstembodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 3.

In an apparatus 100 of a comparison example for manufacturing a seriesaccumulator cell connection structure, a first extended electrode body40 in the form of a ribbon is fed out from a first extended electrodebody feed roller 101 to the hollow core 31 via a first roller 102, and apositive electrode body 61 in the form of a ribbon is fed out from anegative electrode body feed roller 104 to the hollow core 31 via thefirst roller 102.

Also, in this manufacturing apparatus 100, a first top separator 42 inthe form of a ribbon is fed out from a first upper separator feed roller106 to the hollow core 31 via a second roller 107, a first middleseparator 52 in the form of a ribbon is fed out from a first middleseparator feed roller 108 to the hollow core 31 via the second roller107, and a first bottom separator 62 in the form of a ribbon is fed outfrom a first bottom separator feed roller 109 to the hollow core 31 viathe second roller 107.

Also, in the manufacturing apparatus 100, a negative electrode body 43in the form of a ribbon is fed out from a negative electrode body feedroller 110 to the hollow core 31 via a third roller 111, and a secondextended electrode body 54 in the form of a ribbon is fed out from asecond extended electrode body feed roller 112 to the hollow core 31 viathe third roller 111.

Also, in the manufacturing apparatus 100, a second top separator 44 inthe form of a ribbon is fed out from a second top separator feed roller114 to the hollow core 31 via a fourth roller 115, a second middleseparator 56 in the form of a ribbon is fed out from a second middleseparator feed roller 116 to the hollow core 31 via the fourth roller115, and a second bottom separator 64 in the form of a ribbon is fed outfrom a second bottom separator feed roller 117 to the hollow core 31 viathe fourth roller 115.

By the positive electrode body 41 of the first extended electrode body40, the first top separator 42, the negative electrode body 43 for thetop accumulator cell 33 and the second top separator 44 being layeredtogether and wound onto the top part 31 a of the hollow core 31 (seeFIG. 1), a top accumulator cell 33 is formed.

By the negative electrode body 51 of the first extended electrode body40, the first middle separator 52, the positive electrode body 55 of thesecond extended electrode body 54 and the second middle separator 56being layered together and wound onto the middle part 31 b of the hollowcore 31 (see FIG. 1), a middle accumulator cell 35 is formed.

And by the positive electrode body 61 for the bottom accumulator cell37, the first bottom separator 62, the negative electrode body 63 of thesecond extended electrode body 54 and the second bottom separator 64being layered together and wound onto the bottom part 31 c of the hollowcore 31 (see FIG. 1), a bottom accumulator cell 37 is formed.

The manufacturing method using the manufacturing apparatus 80 of thepresent embodiment shown in FIG. 3 and the manufacturing method usingthe manufacturing apparatus 100 in the comparison example shown in FIG.6 will now be compared.

With the comparison example shown in FIG. 6, ten rollers, the firstextended electrode body feed roller 101, the positive electrode bodyfeed roller 104, the first upper separator feed roller 106, the firstmiddle separator feed roller 108, the first bottom separator feed roller109, the negative electrode body feed roller 110, the second extendedelectrode body feed roller 112, the second top separator feed roller114, the second middle separator feed roller 116 and the second bottomseparator feed roller 117, are necessary.

Also, in this comparison example, as well as it being necessary tocontrol the end faces of the positive and negative electrode bodies, thefirst and second extended electrode bodies and the separatorsindividually as the positive and negative electrode bodies, the firstand second extended electrode bodies and the separators are fed out fromthe respective feed rollers, it is necessary to ensure the flatness ofeach of the positive and negative electrode bodies, the first and secondextended electrode bodies and the separators individually.

Therefore, in the comparison example, each of the ten feed rollers mustbe individually equipped with means for controlling the end face andmeans for ensuring flatness, and each of the feed rollers becomescostly. Consequently, when the number of feed rollers increases, plantcosts increase greatly.

Also, when the number of feed rollers increases, time and labor are usedup in roller interchanges, and this constitutes an impediment to raisingproductivity.

With the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, on the other hand, the numberof feed rollers can be reduced to four: the first electrode sheet feedroller 82, the first separator feed roller 87, the second electrodesheet feed roller 92 and the second separator feed roller 96.

By reducing the number of feed rollers to four like this, it is possibleto keep plant costs down. Also, by reducing the number of feed rollers,it is possible to reduce the amount of time spent on roller interchangesand to raise productivity.

Next, the operation of the series accumulator cell connection structure30 will be described, on the basis of FIG. 7A, FIG. 7B, FIG. 8A and FIG.8B.

FIG. 7A and FIG. 7B show an example of an electrolyte being supplied tothe inside of a series accumulator cell connection structure 30according to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 7A, with the top part 19 of the cylindrical container11 open, the accumulator unit 12 is received into the cylindricalcontainer 11 through this opening. After that, an electrolyte issupplied through the opening in the top part 19 as shown by the arrow(a).

The supplied electrolyte passes through a gap between the positiveelectrode collector plate 15 and the cylindrical container 11 and entersa gap 120 between the series accumulator cell connection structure 30and the cylindrical container 11 as shown by the arrows (b).

The electrolyte entering the gap 120 proceeds into a gap 121 between thetop accumulator cell 33 and the middle accumulator cell 35 and a gap 121between the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell37, as shown by the arrows (c).

In FIG. 7B, the electrolyte passes through a plurality of the firstround holes 68 formed in the middle region 46 c of the first extendedcollector foil 46 as shown by the arrows (d) and flows smoothly throughthe bottom end of the top accumulator cell 33 into the inside of the topaccumulator cell 33 (that is, between the electrode bodies and theseparators) and flows through the top end of the middle accumulator cell35 into the inside of the middle accumulator cell 35 (that is, betweenthe electrode bodies and the separators).

Also, electrolyte passes through a plurality of the second round holes69 formed in the middle region 58 c of the second extended collectorfoil 58 similarly to the middle region 46 c of the first extendedcollector foil 46, as shown in FIG. 2, flows through the bottom end ofthe middle accumulator cell 35 into the inside of the middle accumulatorcell 35 (that is, between the electrode bodies and the separators), andflows through the top end of the bottom accumulator cell 37 into theinside of the bottom accumulator cell 37 (that is, between the electrodebodies and the separators).

As a result, even though the middle accumulator cell 35 is disposedbetween the top and bottom accumulator cells 33, 37, the electrolyte canbe poured smoothly through the top and bottom ends of the middleaccumulator cell 35. Consequently, the electrolyte can be poured evenlyinto the insides of the top accumulator cell 33, the middle accumulatorcell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37.

Next, a liquid junction formed by electrolyte in a series accumulatorcell connection structure 30 according to the first embodiment will bedescribed, on the basis of the comparison example shown in FIG. 8A andthe embodiment shown in FIG. 8B.

A comparison example of a series accumulator cell connection structure118 shown in FIG. 8A does not have multiple first round holes in themiddle region 119 a of its first extended collector foil 119.Consequently, when electrolyte 122 poured into the inside of the topaccumulator cell 33 and the middle accumulator cell 35 collects in thespace 123 between middle regions 119 a, due to surface tension it formsa continuous droplet. Consequently, it makes contact with the negativeelectrode body 43 of the top accumulator cell 33 and the positiveelectrode body 55 of the middle accumulator cell 35 and forms a liquidjunction.

The structure 30 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 8B has multiplefirst round holes 68 formed in the middle region 46 c of the firstextended collector foil 46. Because of this, even if electrolyte 122poured into the inside of the top accumulator cell 33 and the middleaccumulator cell 35 collects in the space 124 between the first extendedcollector foils 46, 46 (that is, middle regions 46 c, 46 c), it drainsout through the first round holes 68. Consequently, the amount ofelectrolyte 122 staying in the space 124 between the top accumulatorcell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the middle region 46 c canbe reduced. As a result, under surface tension the electrolyte 122divides into upper and lower parts and two droplets are formed, and theelectrolyte 122 is prevented from forming a liquid junction between thenegative electrode body 43 of the top accumulator cell 33 and thepositive electrode body 55 of the middle accumulator cell 35.

Here, the size of the first round holes 68 formed in the middle region46 c is set to a size such that electrolyte 122 collecting in the space124 does not become continuous.

The same effect as that of forming the multiple first round holes 68 inthe middle region 46 c can be obtained by means of the multiple secondround holes 69 formed in the middle region 58 c of the second extendedcollector foil 58 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

Next, first, second and third variations of the first extended collectorfoil 46 will be described, on the basis of FIG. 9, FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.In the description of these first through third variations, parts thesame as parts already described with reference to FIG. 1 through FIG. 8have been given the same reference numerals and will not be describedagain.

FIG. 9 shows a first variation of the first extended collector foil.

The first extended collector foil 125 of this first variation differsonly from the first extended collector foil 46 (see FIG. 4) in the pointthat multiple round holes (openings) 127 are formed in the middle region126 in a zigzag, and otherwise its construction is the same as that ofthe first extended collector foil 46.

By disposing the multiple round holes 127 in the middle region 126 in azigzag, it is possible to arrange the round holes 127 efficiently in themiddle region 196 and provide a large area of holes. Therefore, thepouring of electrolyte described with reference to FIG. 7A and FIG. 7Bcan be carried out more efficiently. Also, the electrolyte can beprevented from forming the liquid junctions described with reference toFIG. 8B more effectively.

In FIG. 9, just the first extended collector foil 125 is shown, butround holes are also arranged in a zigzag in the second extendedcollector foil (not shown), in the same way as in the first extendedcollector foil 125.

Although in the first embodiment and the first variation, examples weredescribed wherein openings consisting of round holes 68, 127 were formedin the middle region 46 c (see FIG. 4) and the middle region 126, theshape of the openings is not limited to this, and some other shape canalternatively be employed.

FIG. 10 shows a second variation of the first extended collector foil ofthe invention.

The first extended collector foil (extended collector foil) 131 of aseries accumulator cell connection structure 130 constituting thissecond variation differs from the first extended collector foil 46 shownin FIG. 8B only in the point that no round holes 68 of the kind shown inFIG. 2 are provided in its central region 132 and a water-repellentsubstance 133 such as Teflon™ (DuPont of America'spolytetrafluoroethylene) is provided on both sides of the central region132, and otherwise its construction is the same as the first extendedcollector foil 46.

As a result of a water-repellent substance 133 being provided on bothsides of the central region 132 like this, even when the electrolyte 122poured into the inside of the top accumulator cell 33 and the middleaccumulator cell 35 collects in the space 128 between first extendedcollector foils 131, 131 (that is, central regions 132, 132), it isrepelled by the water-repellent substance 133. Consequently, thecontinuity of electrolyte 122 staying between the top accumulator cell33 and the middle accumulator cell 35 is broken and it does not form aliquid junction between the negative electrode body 43 of the topaccumulator cell 33 and the positive electrode body 55 of the middleaccumulator cell 35. Consequently, the same effects can be obtained aswhen first round holes 68 are formed in the middle region 46 c of thefirst extended collector foil 46 shown in FIG. 5B.

Here, the size of the water-repellent substance 133 provided on thecentral region 132 is set to a size such that electrolyte 122 stayingbetween the top accumulator cell 33 and the riddle accumulator cell 35does become continuous.

As the method of providing the water-repellent substance 133 to thecentral region 132, for example it is applied/bonded thereto before thepolarizing electrodes 48 (see also FIG. 4) are put on the positiveelectrode region and the negative electrode region of the first extendedcollector foil 131, or it is applied/bonded at the same time as thepolarizing electrodes 48 are put on the positive electrode region andthe negative electrode region of the first extended collector foil 131.

Although in this second variation an example has been described whereinpolytetrafluoroethylene is used as the water-repellent substance 133,some other water-repellent substance 133 may alternatively be used.

Also, in the second variation, the same effects are obtained byproviding the water-repellent substance 133 such aspolytetrafluoroethylene on the central region of the second extendedcollector foil (not shown) in the same way as to the central region 132of the first extended collector foil 131.

FIG. 11 shows a series accumulator cell connection structure 135 of athird variation.

The first extended collector foil (extended collector foil) 136 of thisseries accumulator cell connection structure 135 of a third variationdiffers from the first extended collector foil 46 shown in FIG. 8B onlyin the point that no multiple round holes 68 of the kind shown in FIG. 2are provided in its central region 137 and the space 129 between centralregions 137 is filled with an insulating material 138, and otherwise itsconstruction is the same as the first extended collector foil 46.

As a result of the space 129 between central regions 137 being filledwith an insulating material 138 like this, even when electrolyte 122poured into the inside of the top accumulator cell 33 and the middleaccumulator cell 35 collects in the space 129 between first extendedcollector foils 136, 136 (that is, central regions 137, 137), thecontinuity of the electrolyte can be broken with the insulating material138. Thus, the electrolyte is prevented from forming a liquid junctionbetween the negative electrode body 43 of the top accumulator cell 33and the positive electrode body 55 of the middle accumulator cell 35. Bythis means the same effects are obtained as when the multiple firstround holes 68 are formed in the middle region 46 c of the firstextended collector foil 46 as in FIG. 8B.

Here, by filling the space between the central regions of secondextended collector foils (not shown) in the same way as the spacesbetween the central regions 137 of the first extended collector foils136, the same effects are obtained.

When the spaces between the central regions 137 are filled with aninsulating material 138 as in the third variation, it is conceivablethat the insulating material 138 will block the entry of electrolyte.Therefore, it is desirable that the third variation be applied in a casewhere two accumulator cells are connected in series. This is becausewhen two accumulator cells are connected in series, electrolyte can bepoured through the outer end part of each accumulator cell.

Next, an example of correcting the voltages of the top accumulator cell33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37will be described, on the basis of FIG. 12A through FIG. 12C, FIG. 13and FIG. 14.

FIG. 12A, FIG. 12B and FIG. 12C show test accumulator cells of first andsecond comparison examples and the present embodiment.

A first test accumulator cell 140 of Comparison Example 1 shown in FIG.12A is a structure made by interposing a separator 143 between a lowerelectrode 141 (that is, a collector foil 141 a and a polarizingelectrode 141 b) and an upper electrode 142 (that is, a collector foil142 a and a polarizing electrode 142 b) and cutting away just the upperelectrode 142.

That is, in the first test accumulator cell 140, a lower electrode 141and a separator 143 are made continuous with first and secondaccumulator cells 144, 145 to connect the first and second accumulatorcells 144, 145 in series.

A second test accumulator cell 147 of Comparison Example 2 shown in FIG.12B is a structure made by interposing a separator 143 between a lowerelectrode 141 and an upper electrode 142 and cutting away the separator143 as well as the upper electrode 142.

That is, in the second test accumulator cell 147, a lower electrode 141is made continuous with first and second accumulator cells 144, 145 toconnect the first and second accumulator cells 144, 145 in series.

A third test accumulator cell 148 according to the present embodimentshown in FIG. 12C is a structure made by interposing a separator 143between a lower electrode 141 and an upper electrode 142 and cuttingaway the polarizing electrode 141 b of the lower electrode 141 as wellas the upper electrode 142 and the separator 143.

That is, in the third test accumulator cell 148, the collector foil 141a of the lower electrode 141 is made continuous with the first andsecond accumulator cells 144, 145 to connect the first and secondaccumulator cells 144, 145 in series.

This third test accumulator cell 148 is assembled in the same form asthe series accumulator cell connection structure 30 shown in FIG. 1.

The first through third test accumulator cells 140, 147, 148 describedabove are made by performing vacuum degassing with the upper and lowelectrodes 142, 141 and the separator 143 pre-soaked in electrolyte andthen wiping excess electrolyte off the upper and low electrodes 142, 141and the separator 143 and assembling the upper and low electrodes 142,141 and the separator 143 after this electrolyte is wiped off.

Using first through third test accumulator cells 140, 147, 143 preparedlike this, a charge/discharge test was carried out.

In the charge/discharge test, terminal 1 and terminal 4 of the firstthrough third test accumulator cells 140, 147, 148 were connected to acharge/discharge test instrument, a predetermined charge/dischargecurrent such as for example 25 mA was passed, the voltage V₁₂ acrossterminal 1 and terminal 2 was measured, the voltage V₃₄ across terminal3 and terminal 4 was measured, and a voltage difference betweenaccumulator cells was obtained from the measured voltages V₃₄ and V₁₂according to the following formula:V=V ₃₄-V ₁₂

The voltage differences V between the accumulator cells obtained in thisway for the first through third test accumulator cells 140, 147, 148 areshown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 13 is a graph showing the relationship between the voltagedifference V between the accumulator cells of the first through thirdtest accumulator cells and charge/discharge cycles. The horizontal axisshows the charge/discharge cycles (times) and the vertical axis showsthe voltage difference between the accumulator cells (V). The curve G1shown with a double-dashed line shows Comparison Example 1 (the firsttest accumulator cell 140), the curve G2 shown with a dashed line showsComparison Example 2 (the second test accumulator cell 147), and thecurve G3 shown with a solid line shows the embodiment (the third testaccumulator cell 148).

In the case of Comparison Example 1, as shown by the curve G1, thevoltage difference between the accumulator cells (V) is relatively highat the time of the start of the charge/discharge cycling, and as thenumber of charge/discharge cycles increases the voltage differencebetween the accumulator cells (V) rises steeply also. Consequently, thevoltage difference between the accumulator cell 144 and the accumulatorcell 145 shown in FIG. 12A becomes large, and thus the form ofComparison Example 1 is not desirable for use in the series accumulatorcell connection structure 30 (see FIG. 1).

In the case of Comparison Example 2, as shown by the curve G2, thevoltage difference between the accumulator cells (V) is lower than inthe case of Comparison Example 1 at the time of the start of thecharge/discharge cycling, but as the number of charge/discharge cyclesincreases the voltage difference between the accumulator cells (V) risessteeply. Consequently, the voltage difference between the accumulatorcell 144 and the accumulator cell 145 shown in FIG. 12B becomes large,and thus the form of Comparison Example 2 is not desirable for use inthe series accumulator cell connection structure 30 (see FIG. 1).

In the case of the embodiment, as shown by the curve G3, the voltagedifference between the accumulator cells (V) is approximately 0 at thetime of the start of the charge/discharge cycling, and also the voltagedifference between the accumulator cells (V) can be kept toapproximately 0 even as the number of charge/discharge cycles increases.Accordingly, the voltage difference between the accumulator cell 144 andthe accumulator cell 145 shown in FIG. 12C can be kept small, and theform of the embodiment is desirable for use in the series accumulatorcell connection structure 30 (see FIG. 1).

The cause of the voltage difference between the accumulator cells (V)rising as the number of charge/discharge cycles increases is thought tobe liquid junctions.

As discussed above, it can be seen from the curves G1 through G3 thatthe form which keeps the voltage difference between the accumulatorcells (V) small is the form wherein the upper electrode 142, theseparator 143 and the polarizing electrode 141 b of the lower electrode141 are cut away; that is, it is preferable that only the collector foil141 a of the lower electrode 141 remain.

Accordingly, in the series accumulator cell connection structure 30, asshown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, polarizing electrodes 48 are provided onboth sides of the positive electrode region 46 a and the negativeelectrode region 46 b of the first extended collector foil 46, butpolarizing electrodes 48 are not provided on either side of the middleregion 46 c.

Similarly, polarizing electrodes 48 are provided on both sides of thepositive electrode region 58 a and the negative electrode region 58 b ofthe second extended collector foil 58, but polarizing electrodes 48 arenot provided on either side of the middle region 58 c.

As a result, the voltages of the top accumulator cell 33, the middleaccumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 of the seriesaccumulator cell connection structure 30 can be kept substantiallyuniform.

FIG. 14 shows an example of correcting the voltages of the topaccumulator cell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottomaccumulator cell 37 to equalize them with the voltage correcting means20.

In the voltage correcting means 20, a part 46 d on the hollow core 31side of the middle region 46 c of the first extended collector foil 46is connected by a first lead wire 21 to a control part 22; a part 58 don the hollow core 31 side of the middle region 58 c of the secondextended collector foil 58 is connected to the control part 22 by asecond lead wire 24; the cover part 16, serving as a positive electrode,is connected to the control part 22 by a third lead wire 26; and thebottom part 14 of the cylindrical container 11, serving as a negativeelectrode, is connected to the control part 22 by a fourth lead wire 28.

By this means, the respective voltages V1, V2 and V3 of the topaccumulator cell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottomaccumulator cell 37 can be measured with the control part 22.

Here, it may happen that the result of measuring the voltages V1, V2 andV3 of the top accumulator cell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 andthe bottom accumulator cell 37 is that the voltages V1, V2 and V3 arenot equal.

In this case, by supplying current to or discharging individually thetop accumulator cell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottomaccumulator cell 37 via the first through fourth lead wires 21, 24, 26and 28, it is possible to correct the voltages of the accumulator cells33, 35 and 37 individually.

For example, when the voltage V2 of the middle accumulator cell 35 ishigher than the voltages V1, V3 of the upper and lower accumulator cells33 and 37, by control being performed with the control part 29 so as todischarge current through the first and second lead wires 21 and 24, thevoltage V2 of the middle accumulator cell 35 can be lowered andequalized with the voltages V1, V3 of the upper and lower accumulatorcells 33, 37.

On the other hand, when the voltage V2 of the middle accumulator cell 35is lower than the voltages V1, V3 of the upper and lower accumulatorcells 33 and 37, by control being carried out with the control part 22so as to supply current through the first and second lead wires 21 and24, the voltage V2 of the middle accumulator cell 35 can be raised tomake it equal with the voltages V1, V3 of the upper and loweraccumulator cells 33 and 37.

Next, batteries according to second through eighth embodiments will bedescribed, on the basis of FIG. 15 through FIG. 22. In these secondthrough eighth embodiments, parts the same as in the first embodimenthave been given the same reference numerals and will not be describedagain.

FIG. 15 shows a cylindrical battery having a series accumulator cellconnection structure according to a second embodiment.

The cylindrical battery 150 of this second embodiment differs from thefirst embodiment only in that its voltage correcting means 151 isdifferent from the voltage connecting means 20 (see FIG. 1), andotherwise its construction is the same.

Referring to FIG. 15, the voltage correcting means 151 of this secondembodiment has a structure made by connecting a first lead wire (leadwire) 152 to an outer part 46 f of the middle region 46 c of the firstextended collector foil 46 and connecting the first lead wire 152 to thecontrol part 22; connecting a second lead wire (lead wire) 153 to anouter part 58 f of the middle region 58 c of the second extendedcollector foil 58 and connecting the second lead wire 153 to the controlpart 22; connecting the cover part 16, serving as a positive electrode,to the control part 22 by a third lead wire 26; and connecting thebottom part 14 of the cylindrical container 11, serving as a negativeelectrode, to the control part 22 by a fourth lead wire 28.

The first lead wire 152 is routed through the gap 120 between thecylindrical container 11 and the series accumulator cell connectionstructure 30 to the bottom part 14 of the cylindrical container 11 andextends through a through hole 155 in the bottom part 14 to outside thecylindrical battery 10 and is connected to the control part 22.

The second lead wire 153, like the first lead wire 152, is routedthrough the gap 190 between the cylindrical container 11 and the seriesaccumulator cell connection structure 30 to the bottom part 14 of thecylindrical container 11 and extends through the through hole 155 in thebottom part 14 to outside the cylindrical battery 10 and is connected tothe control part 22.

As a result of the first and second lead wires 152, 153 being routedusing the gap 120 between the cylindrical container 11 and the seriesaccumulator cell connection structure 30 like this, it is not necessaryto newly provide a space for the first and second lead wires 152, 153 topass through. Consequently, the first and second lead wires 152, 153 canbe installed quickly and easily.

As a result of the first and second lead wires 152, 153 being routedusing the gap 120 between the cylindrical container 11 and the seriesaccumulator cell connection structure 30, it is not necessary to makethrough holes for the first and second lead wires 152, 153 to passthrough in the wall 11 a of the cylindrical container 11 housing theaccumulator cells 33, 35 and 37.

With this voltage correcting means 151, as with the voltage correctingmeans 20, by supplying current to or discharging the top accumulatorcell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell37 individually through the first through fourth lead wires 152, 153, 26and 28, it is possible to correct individually the voltages of theaccumulator cells 33, 35 and 37.

FIG. 16 shows a cylindrical battery having a series accumulator cellconnection structure according to a third embodiment.

In the cylindrical battery 160 of this third embodiment only its seriesaccumulator cell connection structure 161 differs from the seriesaccumulator cell connection structure 30 (see FIG. 1) of the firstembodiment, and the rest of the construction is the same as the firstembodiment.

Referring to FIG. 16, the series accumulator cell connection structure161 is a construction made by winding a top accumulator cell 162 ontothe top part 31 a of the hollow core 31, wincing a middle accumulatorcell 163 onto the middle part 31 b of the hollow core 31 and winding abottom accumulator cell 164 onto the bottom part 31 c of the hollow core31, and connecting the three accumulator cells, the top accumulator cell162, the middle accumulator cell 163 and the bottom accumulator cell164, in series.

In this series accumulator cell connection structure 161, the topaccumulator cell 162 and the middle accumulator cell 163 are connectedin series by a single first extended collector foil 46 being usedcommonly for both the collector foil of the positive electrode body 41of the top accumulator cell 162 and the collector foil of the negativeelectrode body 51 of the middle accumulator cell 163. Also, the middleaccumulator cell 163 and the bottom accumulator cell 164 are connectedin series by a single second extended collector foil 58 being usedcommonly for both the collector foil of the positive electrode body 55of the middle accumulator cell 163 and the collector foil of thenegative electrode body 63 of the bottom accumulator cell 164.

The middle region 46 c of the first extended collector foil 46 extendsparallel with the hollow core 31 from the positive electrode region 46 ato the negative electrode region 46 b.

The middle region 58 c of the second extended collector foil 58 extendsparallel with the hollow core 31 from the positive electrode region 58 ato the negative electrode region 58 b.

That is, the series accumulator cell connection structure 161 of thethird embodiment differs from the series accumulator cell connectionstructure 30 of the first embodiment only in that the middle regions 46c, 58 c each extend parallel with the hollow core 31, and the rest ofthe construction is the same as the first embodiment.

As will be explained below with reference to FIG. 17, with respect tothe manufacture of the series accumulator cell connection structure 30shown in FIG. 1, the series accumulator cell connection structure 161 ofthe third embodiment described above can be manufactured easily butdiffers in structure from the first embodiment in the point that thefirst wind and the last wind to the hollow core 31 of the topaccumulator cell 162 and the bottom accumulator cell 164 are negativeelectrodes but in the case of the middle accumulator cell 163 they arepositive electrodes.

Next, a method for manufacturing a series accumulator cell connectionstructure 161 according to the third embodiment will be described, onthe basis of FIG. 17.

FIG. 17 shows the electrode bodies and separators of a seriesaccumulator cell connection structure according to the third embodimentbefore winding.

A positive electrode body 41 of a first extended electrode body 40 of afirst electrode sheet 83, a first top separator 42 of a first separator88, a negative electrode body 43 of a second electrode sheet 93 and asecond top separator 44 of a second separator 97 are layered together.

A negative electrode body 51 of a first extended electrode body 40, afirst middle separator 52 of the first separator 88, a positiveelectrode body 55 of a second extended electrode body 54 of a secondelectrode sheet 93, and a second middle separator 56 of the secondseparator 97 are layered together.

A positive electrode body 61 of the first electrode sheet 83, a firstmiddle separator 52 of the first separator 88, a negative electrode body63 of the second extended electrode body 54, and a second bottomseparator 64 of the second separator 97 are layered together.

A first end 21 a of the first lead wire 21 is connected to the leadingend 46 e of the middle region 46 c of the first extended collector foil46 of the first extended electrode body 40.

A first end 24 a of the second lead wire 24 is connected to the leadingend 58 e of the middle region 58 c of the second extended collector foil58 of the second extended electrode body 54.

By the first and second electrode sheets 83, 93 and the first and secondseparator sheets 88, 97 being layered together and rolled in thedirection of the arrow in this state, the series accumulator cellconnection structure 161 shown in FIG. 16 is obtained.

With the series accumulator cell connection structure 161 of this thirdembodiment, because the middle regions 46 c, 58 c are configured toextend parallel with the hollow core 31, it is not necessary to removeone wind 61 a (the hatched region) of the positive electrode body 61 ofthe first electrode sheet 83, to remove one wind 69 a (the hatchedregion) of the first bottom separator 62 of the first separator 88, toremove one wind 54 a (the hatched region) of the second extendedelectrode body 54 of the second electrode sheet 93, to remove one wind56 a (the hatched region) of the second middle separator 56 of thesecond separator 97, or to remove one wind 64 a (the hatched region) ofthe second bottom separator 64, as described with reference to FIG. 4 ofthe first embodiment.

Therefore, the operation of winding the series accumulator cellconnection structure 161 can be carried out quickly and easily.

FIG. 18 shows a series accumulator cell connection structure accordingto a fourth embodiment. The series accumulator cell connection structure170 of this fourth embodiment differs only in that its hollow core 171is different from the hollow core 31 of the first embodiment (see FIG.1), and the rest of its construction is the same as the firstembodiment.

A first extended collector foil 246 of the fourth embodiment is a partequivalent to the first extended collector foil 46 in the firstembodiment, and a second extended collector foil 258 is a partequivalent to the second extended collector foil 58 of the firstembodiment.

The first extended collector foil 246 is made up of a negative electroderegion 246 a of width L1, a positive electrode region 246 b of width L1,and a middle region 246 c of width L2. The negative electrode region 246a and the positive electrode region 246 b respectively have width L1,and the middle region 246 c has a width L2. Thus, the first extendedcollector foil 246 is set to at least twice (specifically, 2×L1+L2) thewidth of the polarizing electrodes 48.

The second extended collector foil 258 is made up of a negativeelectrode region 258 a of width L1, a positive electrode region 253 b ofwidth L1, and a middle region 258 c of width L2. The negative electroderegion 258 a and the positive electrode region 258 b respectively havewidth L1, and the middle region 246 c has a width L2. Thus, the secondextended collector foil 258 is set to at least twice (specifically,2×L1+L2) the width of the polarizing electrodes 48.

The hollow core 171 has a hollow part 172 passing all the way through itfrom its top end 171 a to its bottom end 171 b. A top part 173 of thehollow core 171 is of external diameter D1, a middle part 174 is ofexternal diameter D2, and a bottom part 175 is of external diameter D3,and the external diameters D1, D2 and D3 are in the relationshipD1>D2>D3.

A first step 176 formed by the top part 173 and the middle part 174 is(D1−D2)/2. A second step 177 formed by the middle part 174 and thebottom part 175 is (D2−D3)/2.

The first step 176 is set to the same thickness as the thickness t whenstacked of a first middle separator 256, the negative electrode region258 a of the second extended collector foil 258, and polarizingelectrodes 48, 48 provided on the sides of the negative electrode region258 a.

The second step 177 is set to the same thickness as the thickness t whenstacked of a first bottom separator 264, a negative electrode collectorfoil 278, and polarizing electrodes 48, 48 provided on the sides of thecollector foil 278.

By providing a first step 176 between the top part 173 and the middlepart 174 of the hollow core 171 and providing a second step 177 betweenthe middle part 174 and the bottom part 175 like this, it is possible tomatch the winding orders of the positive and negative electrodes of atop accumulator cell 233, a middle accumulator cell 235 and a bottomaccumulator cell 237 without bending the middle region 246 c of thefirst extended collector foil 246 and the middle region 258 c of thesecond extended collector foil 258 to a diagonal.

The top accumulator cell 293, the middle accumulator cell 235 and thebottom accumulator cell 237 correspond to the top accumulator cell 33,the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 of thefirst embodiment.

The reference number 279 denotes a collector foil for a positiveelectrode, and a positive electrode body is constructed by polarizingelectrodes 48, 48 being provided on both sides of this positiveelectrode collector foil 279. The reference number 242 denotes a firstupper separator.

Because it is not necessary for the middle region 246 c of the firstextended collector foil 246 and the middle region 258 c of the secondextended collector foil 258 to be bent to a diagonal, there is no riskof twisting occurring in the middle regions 246 c, 258 c. Becausetwisting does not occur in the middle regions 246 c, 258 c, the firstand second extended collector foils 246, 258 can be wound accurately.Therefore, the end faces 233 a and 233 b of the top accumulator cell233, the end faces 235 a and 235 b of the middle accumulator cell 235,and the end faces 237 a and 237 b of the bottom accumulator cell 237 canbe aligned more accurately and for example continuity between electrodescan be prevented with certainty.

As in the first embodiment, because the winding orders of the positiveand negative electrodes of the top accumulator cell 233, the middleaccumulator cell 235 and the bottom accumulator cell 237 can be matched,the effect is obtained that the top accumulator cell 233, the middleaccumulator cell 235 and the bottom accumulator cell 237 do not readilylose electrochemical stability.

In the fourth embodiment, an example was described wherein steps areprovided between the external diameter D1 of a top part 173, theexternal diameter D2 of a middle part 174 and the external diameter D3of a bottom part 175 of the hollow core 171, to match the winding ordersof the positive and negative electrodes of the top accumulator cell 233,the middle accumulator cell 235 and the bottom accumulator cell 237;however, instead of providing steps in the hollow core 171, it is alsopossible to match the winding orders of the positive and negativeelectrodes of the top accumulator cell 233, the middle accumulator cell235 and the bottom accumulator cell 937 by forming steps by adjustingthe number of separator winds.

The cylindrical battery 10 shown in FIG. 1 has separators 42, 52 and 62at the peripheries of the top accumulator cell 33, the middleaccumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 respectively, andalso has separators 44, 56 and 64 at their inner peripheries (see alsoFIG. 4).

Because of this, even if the cylindrical container 11 and the hollowcore 31 are made of conducting materials, the accumulator cells 33, 35and 37 can be prevented from being electrically continuous with thecylindrical container 11 and the hollow core 31 with ordinaryseparators.

Now, in the top accumulator cell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 andthe bottom accumulator cell 37 used in the cylindrical battery 10, tokeep their internal resistances low, there is a trend towards usingseparators with high conductivity characteristics for the separators 42,52, 62, 44, 56 and 64.

Because of this, it is conceivable that the top accumulator cell 33, themiddle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 couldbecome continuous via the cylindrical container 11 and the hollow core31.

The following fifth through eighth embodiments provide countermeasuresto this. It will be assumed in the description that the cylindricalcontainer 11 is made of aluminum alloy and the hollow core 31 is made ofaluminum alloy.

FIG. 19 shows a series accumulator cell connection structure accordingto a fifth embodiment.

A cylindrical battery 190 of this fifth embodiment has a first topseparator 42 wound a number of times between the top accumulator cell 33and the cylindrical container 11, a second top separator 44 wound anumber of times between the top accumulator cell 33 and the hollow core31, a second middle separator 56 wound a number of times between themiddle accumulator cell 35 and the cylindrical container 11, a firstmiddle separator 52 wound a number of times between the middleaccumulator cell 35 and the hollow core 31, a first bottom separator 62wound a number of times between the bottom accumulator cell 37 and thecylindrical container 11, and a second bottom separator 64 wound anumber of times between the bottom accumulator cell 37 and the hollowcore 31. The cylindrical battery 190 differs from the cylindricalbattery 10 of the first embodiment in this point only, and the rest ofits construction is the same as that of the first embodiment.

By separators being wound multiple times like this, the influence ofcontinuity of the top accumulator cell 33, the middle accumulator cell35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 with the cylindrical container 11and the hollow core 31 is reduced and discharging of the top accumulatorcell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell37 through the cylindrical container 11 and the hollow core 31 isprevented. Thus, the potentials of the top accumulator cell 33, themiddle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 can bekept uniform and dropping of the accumulated energy of the cylindricalbattery 190 is prevented.

FIG. 20 shows a series accumulator cell connection structure of a sixthembodiment.

A cylindrical battery 200 of this sixth embodiment differs from thecylindrical battery 10 of the first embodiment only in that a part 201with low electrical conductivity is provided on the innercircumferential surface 11 b of the cylindrical container 11 and a part202 with low electrical conductivity is provided on the outercircumferential surface 31 d of the hollow core 31, and the rest of itsconstruction is the same as that of the first embodiment.

For the low-conductivity parts 201 and 202, for example paper issuitable.

By this means, as in the fifth embodiment, the influence of continuityof the top accumulator cell 33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and thebottom accumulator cell 37 with the cylindrical container 11 and thehollow core 31 is reduced and discharging of the top accumulator cell33, the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37through the cylindrical container 11 and the hollow core 31 isprevented. Thus, the potentials of the top accumulator cell 33, themiddle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 can bekept uniform and dropping of the accumulated energy of the cylindricalbattery 200 is prevented.

In the sixth embodiment (the cylindrical battery 200), although they arenot shown in the drawings, first and second variations are conceivable.

In a cylindrical battery 200 of a first variation, the same effects asthose of the sixth embodiment are obtained by bringing the inner surface11 b of the cylindrical container 11 to a non-conducting state andbringing the outer surface 31 d of the hollow core 31 to anon-conducting state.

As the means for bringing the inner surface 11 b of the cylindricalcontainer 11 and the outer surface 31 d of the hollow core 31 to anon-conducting state, for example there is the method of using a surfacetreatment such as an alumite or insulating coating, and the method ofaffixing a non-conducting member with an adhesive.

As the insulating coating, for example polycarbonates and the like aresuitable, and as a non-conducting member for example Kapton Tape™(registered trade mark of a polyimide film of DuPont of America) and thelike are suitable.

In a cylindrical battery 200 of a second variation of the sixthembodiment, the same effects as those of the sixth embodiment areobtained by disposing insulating members between the cylindricalcontainer 11 and the accumulator cells 33, 35 and 37 and disposinginsulating members between the hollow core 31 and the accumulator cells33, 35 and 37.

As an insulating member to be disposed between the cylindrical container11 and the accumulator cells 33, 35 and 37, for examplepolytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) can be used.

FIG. 21 shows a series accumulator cell connection structure of aseventh embodiment.

A cylindrical battery 210 of this seventh embodiment differs from thecylindrical battery 10 of the first embodiment only in that the wall 11a of the cylindrical container 11 is made with an insulating materialand the hollow core 31 is made with an insulating material, and the restof the construction is the same as the first embodiment. The bottom part11 c of the cylindrical container 11 is made of a conducting material.

As the insulating material forming the wall 11 a and the hollow core 31,for example polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polybutyleneterephthalate (PBT) or polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) can be used.

By this means, as in the fifth embodiment, the top accumulator cell 33,the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 areprevented from being electrically continuous with the cylindricalcontainer 11 and the hollow core 31, and the top accumulator cell 33,the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 areprevented from discharging through the cylindrical container 11 and thehollow core 31. Thus, the potentials of the top accumulator cell 33, themiddle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 can bekept uniform and dropping of the accumulated energy of the cylindricalbattery 210 can be prevented.

FIG. 22 shows a series accumulator cell connection structure of aneighth embodiment.

A cylindrical battery 220 of this eighth embodiment differs from thecylindrical battery 10 of the first embodiment only in that the wall 11a of the cylindrical container 11 is divided (for example into threeparts), and the hollow core 31 is divided (for example into threeparts), and the rest of the construction is the same as that of thefirst embodiment.

Specifically, the wall 11 a of the cylindrical container 11 is dividedbetween the top accumulator cell 33 and the middle accumulator cell 35and divided between the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottomaccumulator cell 37.

Of the divided wall 11 a, non-conducting members are provided in anupper location 221 at a level between the top accumulator cell 33 andthe middle accumulator cell 35 and in a lower location 222 at a levelbetween the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell37.

Also, the hollow core 31 is divided between the top accumulator cell 33and the middle accumulator cell 35 and divided between the middleaccumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37.

And of the divided hollow core 31, non-conducting members are providedin an upper location 223 at a level between the top accumulator cell 33and the middle accumulator cell 35 and in a lower location 224 at alevel between the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulatorcell 37.

As the non-conducting members, for example polypropylene (PP),polyethylene (PE), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) or polyphenylenesulfide (PPS) can be used.

By this means, as in the fifth embodiment, the top accumulator cell 33,the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 areprevented from being electrically continuous with the cylindricalcontainer 11 and the hollow core 31, and the top accumulator cell 33,the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 areprevented from discharging through the cylindrical container 11 and thehollow core 31. Thus, the potentials of the top accumulator cell 33, themiddle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 can bekept uniform and dropping of the accumulated energy of the cylindricalbattery 220 can be prevented.

In the embodiments described above, examples were described whereinthree accumulator cells were connected in series as the seriesaccumulator cell connection structure 30, 130, 135, 161, 170. However,the invention is not limited to this, and alternatively two or four ormore accumulator cells may be connected in series.

And although in the embodiments described above examples were describedwherein polarizing electrodes 48 consisting of activated carbon, aconducting material and a binder were provided on both sides of acollector foil to form positive electrode bodies and negative electrodebodies, there is no limitation to this, and it is also possible toprovide a polarizing electrode 48 on one side of a collector foil toform the positive electrode bodies and negative electrode bodies.

Also, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 an example was described whereinone wind 61 a (the hatched region) of the positive electrode body 61 ofthe first electrode sheet 83 is removed; one wind 62 a (the hatchedregion) of the first bottom separator 62 of the first separator 88 isremoved; one wind 54 a (the hatched region) of the second extendedelectrode body 54 of the second electrode sheet 93 is removed; one wind56 a (the hatched region) of the second middle separator 56 of thesecond separator 97 is removed; and one wind 64 a (the hatched region)of the second bottom separator 64 is removed. However, the parts to beremoved from the first electrode sheet 33, the first separator 88, thesecond electrode sheet 93 and the second separator 97 can be freelychosen in accordance with the winding method of the first electrodesheet 83, the first separator 88, the second electrode sheet 93 and thesecond separator 97.

And although as the cylindrical battery 10 of the first embodiment shownin FIG. 1 an example was described wherein the top accumulator cell 33,the middle accumulator cell 35 and the bottom accumulator cell 37 werewound so that the ‘first wind’ and ‘last wind’ to the hollow core 31each became negative poles, the poles of the first winds and last windsof the accumulator cells 33, 35 and 37 are not limited to this.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

By connecting adjacent accumulator cells in series by using collectorfoils having twice the width of polarizing electrodes so that they arecommon to adjacent accumulator cells, an accumulator battery is madecompact. An accumulator battery made compact like this can be used invarious industries.

1. An accumulator cell assembly having a plurality of accumulator cellsconnected in series, each of the accumulator cells comprising: acollector foil; a polarizing electrode, made of activated carbon, aconducting material and a binder, provided on at least one side of thecollector foil and forming a positive electrode body or a negativeelectrode body; a separator separating the positive electrode body andthe negative electrode body; and a winding core for layering togetherand winding the collector foil, the polarizing electrode and theseparator onto, wherein an extended collector foil having a width of atleast twice the width of the polarizing electrode continues throughadjacent accumulator cells and connects them in series.
 2. Anaccumulator cell assembly according to claim 1, characterized in that alead wire is connected to the extended collector foil to correctvoltages of the accumulator cells individually.
 3. An accumulator cellassembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the winding core isa hollow member and the lead wire is routed through the hollow part ofthe winding core.
 4. An accumulator cell assembly according to claim 1,characterized in that the extended collector foil has a plurality ofopenings formed in a part thereof positioned between the accumulatorcells.
 5. An accumulator cell assembly according to claim 1,characterized in that the extended collector foil has undergone awater-repellency treatment on a part thereof positioned between theaccumulator cells.